Winter jackets for children: Warm does not mean waterproof

A cozy warm winter jacket, a high hydrostatic head and maybe even a water-repellent coating – sounds like the perfect jacket for cold winter days. But does that automatically mean it will keep you dry in heavy rain or wet snow?

Not necessarily! Because with winter jackets for children, there is an important difference between water-repellent, waterproof and warm-lined.

We will explain what you should look for when buying a winter jacket and why a jacket with a 12,000 mm hydrostatic head does not necessarily offer better protection from the rain than one with 10,000 mm. With concrete examples from Konges Sløjd, Liewood and Mini Rodini from our range.

What actually makes a winter jacket warm?

The secret lies in the insulation. Whether lined with down, synthetic fibres or other insulating materials: A good winter jacket retains heat by trapping air in many small spaces.

Down is particularly light and offers high warmth for its low weight. By the way, it requires no air supply from the outside to keep you warm. What matters is the air that is trapped between the fine down feathers.

If down gets properly wet, it can clump together, lose its loft and therefore provide significantly less warmth. Synthetic fillings are often less sensitive to moisture.

Important: How warm a winter jacket is does not initially say anything about how waterproof it is.

Water-repellent or waterproof – what is the difference?

These two terms are often confused. However, they make a big difference in everyday children's life.

Many winter jackets have a water-repellent treatment, often referred to as DWR (Durable Water Repellent). It ensures that raindrops initially bead off the surface.

One example of this is BIONIC-FINISH® ECO, a water-repellent treatment that is used, among other things, on the Alpi puffer jacket from Konges Sløjd.

Such a treatment can be helpful in light precipitation, but does not make a jacket completely waterproof on its own.

High hydrostatic head – but still not waterproof?

The hydrostatic head indicates the water pressure that a material can withstand before water penetrates through. It is given in millimetres (mm).

The higher the value, the more resistant the tested material is fundamentally to water pressure.

But here is the crucial point:

The hydrostatic head describes the rain protection of the material – not automatically the waterproofness of the entire winter jacket.

A jacket with a 12,000 mm hydrostatic head can offer less reliable protection in heavy rain than a jacket with 10,000 mm if its seams are not sealed.

This is especially important with quilted winter jackets.

Why are the seams so crucial?

Many winter jackets, especially puffer jackets, have characteristic quilted chambers. These keep the filling in place and ensure that it remains as evenly distributed as possible.

With classic quilted seams, the needle penetrates the outer fabric. This creates small puncture points through which moisture can penetrate during longer rain.

In waterproof functional clothing, such weak points are often sealed with taped or welded seams.

• Taped seams: The seam is sealed with a special waterproof tape.

• Welded seams: Materials are joined by a welding process or the seam areas are sealed accordingly.

• Unsealed seams: During longer rain, the puncture points can become weak points.

Therefore, not every quilted jacket is automatically leaky. There are also special chamber constructions without continuous needle punctures.

Our tip: Pay attention not only to the hydrostatic head, but always also to the workmanship of the seams.

Our winter jackets compared

The winter jackets from our range show particularly well how different the weather protection can be.

The information refers to the models described in our range. Depending on the collection and version, technical properties may vary.

Konges Sløjd Alpi – water-repellent thanks to BIONIC-FINISH® ECO

The Alpi puffer jacket from Konges Sløjd is equipped with BIONIC-FINISH® ECO. This water-repellent treatment ensures that raindrops and moisture initially bead off the surface.

The Alpi is primarily suitable as a warm winter jacket for cold days, dry snow and occasional light precipitation. For longer stays in heavy rain or very wet snow, however, we would prefer a waterproof winter jacket with sealed seams.

Konges Sløjd Mismou – high rain protection with taped seams

The Mismou winter jacket from Konges Sløjd offers a hydrostatic head of 10,000 mm and features taped seams. This means that not only the material is protected against water pressure, but the seam workmanship is also designed for high rain protection.

A good choice for kindergarten, the school run and longer stays outdoors in the rain or wet snow.

Liewood Kalle – 12,000 mm and welded seams

The Kalle winter jacket from Liewood combines a hydrostatic head of 12,000 mm with taped seams. This combination offers high protection against penetrating moisture and is particularly suitable for children who spend a lot of time outdoors even in wet winter weather.

Liewood Adelina – high hydrostatic head, but no sealed seams

With 12,000 mm, the outer fabric of the Adelina puffer jacket from Liewood has the same hydrostatic head value as the Kalle jacket. The Adelina does not have welded or otherwise sealed seams.

For cold winter days, dry snow and occasional precipitation, it is a nice choice. However, for continuous rain, we would rather opt for the Kalle.

Mini Rodini puffer jackets – warmth and light weather protection

The Mini Rodini puffer jackets in our range have a hydrostatic head of 3,000 mm and no welded seams. The warm puffer jackets offer a certain level of protection in light precipitation, but are not designed for longer stays in heavy rain. Here, the warmth insulation of the winter jacket is the main focus.

Down or synthetic filling – which is better in wet conditions?

Not only the outer fabric, but also the filling plays an important role in winter jackets.

Which winter jacket is suitable for which everyday children's activities?

For cold, rather dry winter days

Here, warmth insulation is the main focus. A well-lined winter jacket is ideal for walks, the school run and cold winter days.

For example, the Konges Sløjd Alpi, Liewood Adelina or Mini Rodini puffer jackets can be suitable companions.

For snow and occasional light rain

A water-repellent winter jacket can work well for dry snow and short stays in the rain.

However, for wet snow or longer contact with damp surfaces, it is worth taking a closer look at the hydrostatic head and seams.

For kindergarten, forest days and wet winter weather

Children who play outside for a long time, sit in wet snow or are outdoors in the rain benefit from a waterproof winter jacket with sealed seams.

Here, for example, the Konges Sløjd Mismou or Liewood Kalle are particularly interesting models.

Alternatively, a waterproof rain jacket like Liewood Pedia can be worn over a warm insulation layer (e.g., Engel Wool Fleece, Liewood Nolan). There should be enough room so that the insulating filling is not compressed.

Our conclusion: Which winter jacket is the right one?

Warm does not automatically mean waterproof – and waterproof does not automatically mean warmer. That is exactly why it is worth paying attention not only to the hydrostatic head when buying a winter jacket, but also to the workmanship of the seams and the insulation.

Which winter jacket is the right one ultimately depends on individual needs. For cold, dry winter days, a warm, water-repellent jacket is often sufficient. However, those who spend a lot of time in the rain or wet snow are better advised with a waterproof winter jacket with sealed seams.

Our most important tip: It is not the highest hydrostatic head that decides, but the combination of warmth, weather protection and wearing comfort. This is how you find the winter jacket that really suits your child's everyday life.